https://thenightmareshopllc.com/blogs/slash-facts.atomThe Nightmare Shop - SLASH FACTS2019-07-22T03:07:00-05:00The Nightmare Shophttps://thenightmareshopllc.com/blogs/slash-facts/slash-facts-the-devils-rejects2019-07-22T03:07:00-05:002019-07-22T16:03:10-05:00SLASH FACTS- The Devil's RejectsJohn Ehrhard
It’s been 14 years to the day since the release of the film that defined modern day sequels. We made it out of the House of 1000 Corpses. And tickets just went on sale for 3 From Hell, the next installment of what could be the greatest horror trilogy of the new millennium. This movie needs no intro. You’ve all seen it. Love it or hate it, you all know it. So, let’s talk about The Devil’s Rejects.

The Devil’s Rejects

Released in US- July 22, 2005

Directed By- Rob Zombie

Written By- Rob Zombie

Rated- R

Run Time- 1 hour & 47 minutes

Kill Count- 19

Killers- The Firefly Family (The Devil’s Rejects)

Number of Sequels- 1

Personal Rating- 9.5/ 10 Fireflies

Deaths

Random Dead Girls- We start the movie with seeing Tiny drag a naked dead girl through the woods. Then cut to Otis spooning with another dead girl in his bed in crusty undies. It’s gross. It’s uncomfortable to watch. It’s a perfect intro to the movie.

Police Officers- During the shootout, there are at least four cops that are shot by the Firefly Family. I’m sure that Sheriff Wydell warned there would be casualties. How could there not be with the rejects?

Rufus Firefly/ Tyler Mane- It sucked seeing one of the fireflies go so soon. But, if it had to be one of them, I suppose it had to be him. Rufus, although bad ass, had to go. Take away their muscle and make them rely on their ability to scheme onward.

Woman in Street- This was such a fun kill scene. It showed how Baby and Otis will do whatever they have to do to get away and remain living the way they choose.

Jimmy Cracker/ Brian Posehn- This dude never had a chance. Such a shocking scene and such a cool cameo to play. It really set the tone for the scene to come inside that motel room. I always think of the motel room in From Dusk Till Dawn when they’re in there. They just look similar to me.

Roy Sullivan/ Geoffrey Lewis- Bludgeoning has got to be one of the most painful way to go out. I like this kill in particular because of the infamous ‘I am the Devil’ line that Otis gives just before he kills Roy. I think it’s a slight reference to biblical times and how this stylized way of public killing was acceptable.

Adam Banjo/ Lew Temple- Anything Lew Temple does in any of Rob Zombie’s films is nothing short of direction taken perfectly. The helplessness that was conveyed from the cocky dialogue and the puking at the at the sight of a bullet to Jimmy’s head was picture perfect. Plus, I love that he got flayed and they tied in a Texas Chainsaw Massacre shout out. Otis is one sick dude.

Gloria Sullivan/ Priscilla Barnes- She was so close to making it. The fact that the gun wasn’t loaded the whole time could have been a twist of its own in another movie. But instead, it only led to Gloria taking a knife in the chest.

Wendy Banjo/ Kate Norby- I always kind of thought she wanted to get hit by that truck. I could be wrong, but it would have to be pretty hard to deal with what all she went through. And once again the shout outs continue. An eighteen-wheeler stopping as someone with a leather face stands outside of it. We’ve seen this before Mr. Zombie you sly devil.

Mama Firefly/ Leslie Easterbrook- The best part of this kill isn’t even in this scene. The knife to the stomach goes deeper than that. It’s when Wydell is describing it to Baby when he is torturing the rejects in the third act. He finally gets under her skin how he wanted to. It’s never easy losing a parent.

Casey & Candy/ Deborah Van Valkenburgh & Elizabeth Daily- Such quick kills. The Unholy Two clean fucking house. Classic throat cuts and head shots never get old. They’re great ways to separate people from packs and pour on the feeling of isolation coming quick.

Charlie Altamont/ Ken Foree- When stars of the genre do these kinds of parts, they have to be killed in this way. Brutally. Unexpectedly. Perfectly axed. This was a real Lando Calrissian move by the pimp known as Charlie. Going back to helps his friends that he once betrayed. Loved it.

Sheriff John Quincey Wydell/ William Forsythe- For me, by the end of this movie, Wydell was the bad guy. So, when Tiny twisted his neck like a churro, I was stoked. Mind your business man, damn! It was cool to see Tiny held down the fort then came to help when needed.

Tiny Firefly/ Matthew McGrory- With the release of 3 From Hell, I wonder if Otis’ line, “We’ll come back for you,” will come into play at all somehow. I doubt it with the passing of McGrory. But the three seemed to have come back from sure death. So did Tiny just blow up? Or, will he be with us again?

Honorable mentions

Sid Haig as Captain Spaulding

Sheri Moon Zombie as Baby

Bill Moseley as Otis

This movie is one of my top three movies of all time. It speaks volumes to the remarkable talent of Rob Zombie. Someone as inspiring as that can make you want to tap into your own talent and do things you never thought could be possible. I can’t wait for 3 From Hell and to see what the end of this trilogy has in store for the three and the fans!

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https://thenightmareshopllc.com/blogs/slash-facts/slash-facts-childs-play2019-06-20T15:32:00-05:002019-07-22T03:14:05-05:00SLASH FACTS- Child's PlayJohn Ehrhard
Another remake. And soon to be, another batch of opinions that don’t agree with one another. The new Buddi dolls arrive in theaters everywhere tonight as the virtual killer doll in Child’s Play. With the anticipation of this born-again franchise, I can’t help to show my gut-wrenching love for the original and the franchise that follows. This is how I will always know Chucky. As a Good Guy.

Child’s Play

Released in US- November 9, 1988

Directed By- Tom Holland

Written By- Don Mancini

Rated- R

Run Time- 1 hour & 27 minutes

Kill Count- 6

Killer- Charles Lee Ray a.k.a. Chucky

Number of Sequels- 6 + 1 Remake

Personal Rating- 9/10 Voodoo Dolls

Deaths

Charles Lee Ray/ Brad Dourif- The introduction we got to Charles Lee Ray was perfect to me. You don’t know what he has done. But you know he’s a bad guy. And thanks to Detective Norris and his shot to the chest, we wouldn’t have to worry about him ever again. What I really love about this scene as I got older is the tie in that got shown in Curse of Chucky. It finally answered why he was running away. Fantastic writing.

Maggie Peterson/ Dinah Manoff- Eight floors down onto a fuckin van! Damn, that’s got to suck. She never had a chance. I love those ‘burn off’ characters in horror movies. The ones that you know probably aren’t going to make it and always get killed in these extreme ways. Maggie was just that.

Eddie Caputo/ Neil Giuntoli- Eddie deserved it. There, I said it. You never leave a friend behind. This was a vengeful kill. And Andy just happened to be in a suspicious place at the time. Really scary to put yourself in Andy’s shoes in that particular situation. Looking like a suspect for arson and blowing the shit out of a house. No thanks.

John Bishop/ Ray Oliver- This was blatant doll on doll crime. Chucky fucking up the one who taught him what he knows showed a lot of true power this possessed doll has. It was hard to watch as a little kid. Super brutal without having to do much but it got it’s point across vividly.

Dr. Ardmore/ Jack Colvin- The effects in this scene were really cool to me. This guys skin turned black and charred quick. The voltage was no joke. Electrocution is used multiple time throughout this franchise. That’s also how Tiffany died in Bride of Chucky. It’s powerful to actually watch these victims die rather than blowing them up or dying off screen. It’s like a drug for Chucky.

Chucky/ Brad Dourif- I love the send off line. “This is the end friend!” Badass Andy, badass. That and the fact that Chucky had to be killed or so we thought a few times in the last scenes. It’s the classis ‘supposed dead killer comes back for one last scare’ trick. And it was done beautifully. Luckily for us, we know that this is not the end. And we don’t know if it will ever stop.

Honorable mentions

Alex Vincent as Andy Barclay

Catherine Hicks as Karen Barclay

Chris Sarandon as Mike Norris

This is a movie I grew up watching, I still watch, and will continue to watch over and over again. It’s every child’s nightmare. And every adult’s for that matter. The thing we love the most trying to kill us. Now, that’s pretty fucking scary.

“Hi, I'm Chucky, and I'm your friend till the end. Hidey-ho!”

-Chucky Doll

Cannibal John

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https://thenightmareshopllc.com/blogs/slash-facts/slash-facts-high-tension2019-05-28T22:34:00-05:002019-07-22T03:14:19-05:00SLASH FACTS- High TensionJohn Ehrhard
It’s summer. And as it gets hotter, tensions grow higher. Luckily for horror freaks like us, we tend to stray away from the blazing sun. And for the real freaks out there that The Nightmare Shop loves so much, we know that this time of the year is really a trap! Open water, Black Lagoons, Crystal Lakes, and Swamp Things? Yeah right! I’d much rather stay inside and watch a few nice folks get shredded like cabbage. I give you my take on High Tension.

High Tension

Released in US- June 10, 2005

Directed By- Alexandre Aja

Written By- Alexandre Aja & Gregory Levasseur

Rated- R

Run Time- 1 hour 31 minutes

Kill Count- 6

Killer- Marie a.k.a. The Killer

Number of Sequels- 0

Personal Rating- 8.5/10 Cement Saws

Deaths

Hendrix the Dog- As shitty as it is to see animals get killed on screen is, I think it can be just as powerful. Hendrix the Saint Bernard just tried to help out his family. And for his burst of courage, he got a broken neck. But Aja putting this as the first on screen kill that we see as an audience spoke huge volumes to what this film was going to be and what we were in for moving forward. This isn’t Beethoven. This is not a happy film. This is a fucking horror movie. Love it or leave it. And let’s not forget that just a few minutes before this mystery man came in uninvited, he was getting domed by a severed head. So, a dog was probably a no thought.

Alex’s Father/ Andrei Finti- The fact that the killer went straight for the big bad dad’s face with that razor was so cool to me. Take out the father for a minute, dispose of the dog, go back to the dad. Then he drives his foot on the back of his helpless head through the banister. Not only did the killer decapitate him with brute force, but he fucked up all of their nick knacks in the process! What a struggle. Powerful scene. The father seemed to be taken out with ease while everyone slept peacefully. Except for Marie that is.

Alex’s Mother/ Oana Pellea- This is one of the most underrated and underdiscussed kills in horror. It was like a twisted game of hide and seek if you think about it. The Mother was so close to getting help. She had the cordless phone in her hand! Then, the killer circles around like a lion on a gazelle and cuts her throat without hesitation. The best part is as she’s gasping for air, the open wound on her neck is retracting in and out while spraying blood with each breath. All of that while she looks through the slits of the closet door into the eyes of her true killer, Marie. It was so fucking cool. It made it very realistic and added to the gore on another level. It’s honestly some of the best effects I’ve seen to this day.

Tommy/ Marco Claudiu Pascu- Poor Tommy boy. Once again, another awful thing to see on screen. And once again, a shout out to classic horror films like Children of the Corn. Only this time, the child does not get away. A brutal, yet quick and easy kill from the killer. There aren’t too many horror movie kills with guns. Maybe there was a sense of sympathy there. It’s not often you see a whole family taken out fast and early in a film.

Jimmy/ Franck Khalfoun- Jimmy didn’t really deserve to die. But man, oh man was he in the wrong place at the wrong time. Granted, he was breaking the rules by selling booze that late. Peer pressure can be a bitch. The way that the killer grinded that ax into Jimmy’s chest after he hit him was pretty cool. And to step on Jimmy’s back when he fell just to drive that same ax in a little deeper was a nice touch.

Car Driver/ Gabriel Spahiu- This may be the best kill of the film. It is so bloody and so in your face that I can’t contain my excitement every time I go back and watch High Tension. This is the crescendo kill of the film. Cover everyone in blood. Disembowel a random guy driving by to maybe help. Have your final girl, Alex, scream nonstop because that’s her only option at this point. Then reveal the twist. And I’ll be goddamned if it wasn’t one of the best twists in cinema. I never saw it coming. And best of all is that last shot of the movie. Marie in chains. Jumping at the sense of her beloved Alex. Perfect Ending.

Honorable mentions

Cecile de France as Marie

Maiwenn as Alex

Phillipe Nahon as Le tueur (The killer)

This movie deserves to be watched by horror fans everywhere. If you want to splash around in blood, be disturbed, or fall in love with a movie then give Alexandre Aja’s High Tension a watch. You owe it to yourself.

“I won’t let anyone come between us anymore.”

-Marie

Cannibal John

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https://thenightmareshopllc.com/blogs/slash-facts/slash-facts-psycho2019-04-30T21:38:00-05:002019-07-22T03:14:48-05:00SLASH FACTS- PsychoJohn Ehrhard
There’s no one who can love you quite like your parents. But let’s face it. Sometimes, parents can be lame. In the words of Will Smith, “Parents just don’t understand.” I believe that this is exactly how Norman Bates felt in one of the most beloved films in and outside of the horror genre, Psycho. It’s often considered one of the most iconic movies of the baby boomer era and in my opinion, still remains to hold up the standards of modern-day slasher films. Alfred Hitchcock not only set the bar for all future horror films with Psycho, but built a foundation for the films we all are fans of. Slashers.

Psycho

Released in US theaters- September 8, 1960

Directed By- Alfred Hitchcock

Written By- Joseph Stefano & Robert Bloch (Based on the Novel By)

Rated- R

Run Time- 1 hour 49 minutes

Kill Count- 4

Killer- Norman Bates

Number of Sequels- 3 + 1 Remake in 1998

Personal Rating- 8/10 Motel Rooms

Deaths

Norma Bates- Although we never see Norma pre being skinned alive, the suspense and mind-blowing twist that this added to the film was gold. She was voiced by Jeanette Nolan, Paul Jasmine, and Virginia Gregg. For not having on screen character development, it sure took a lot to nail Norma Bates’ character. And nail it they did. If anyone says they saw the end coming when they first watched Psycho, they’re full of shit. It was so smart to have his Norman’s split personality be a result of his own actions. Norma is a vital part of the story and has one of the best scares, if not the best in the entire film.

Unidentified Girl #1 and #2- It’s not until later in the film that we learn about a couple of other ladies that are missing in action. One’s throat was cut with a scalpel and the other never really got any recognition outside of being mentioned by Norman Bates. I wonder if it would’ve taken the movie too far. For instance, would a few more on-screen kills portray mother (Norman in her clothes) as a serial killer rather than a methodical and concerned mother with a distinct plan? Who knows? Luckily, the sequels gave us more kills for decades after!

Marion Crane/ Janet Leigh- By far the most iconic scene in Psycho. From the chocolate syrup that was used as blood, to the sharp corner turn after the attack, it’s a very vulnerable and uncomfortable scene. Anytime the pants drop, the hairs on your neck seem to stand up. That on top of being in a motel that seemed to come out of nowhere in the storm. Some people would argue that Marion may have deserved what she got. She did steal $40,000 from her job for her boy toy Sam Loomis. What the hell is up with Janet Leigh and her daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, being connected with certain people named Samuel Loomis? Just stay away from them! … And butcher knives. Coincidence?

Detective Milton Arbogast/ Martin Balsam- This guy was super smooth but perhaps too persistent. His career got the best of him and Norman seemed to have enough of it. When Arbogast was stabbed, he back pedaled down a staircase like his legs were his last line of defense. It was a very ‘Oh shit!’ moment. Because at this point, you know that something is up at this motel. A shadow speaks volumes in black and white films. Maybe Det. Arbogast should’ve left that one remain a silhouette. Cool kill scene.

Honorable mentions

Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates

John Gavin as Sam Loomis

Patricia Hitchcock as Caroline

Find one person that doesn’t love Psycho. I dare you. It has become synonymous with horror movies down to the sounds and tones that were used to emphasize the terror that was happening inside of the Bates Motel. The “stabbing” sound that has paralleled this suspenseful and witty film has possibly become even more popular than Psycho itself. It’s been mocked and referenced throughout modern day pop culture and lived on through generations. That is because, I believe, Psycho tapped into mankind more deeply than I think was realized in the ‘60s. Hitchcock was far beyond his time and he will always live on through his inspiring way of shooting film, his practical effects, and his compassion for the macabre. So, pull up your rocking chairs and give Psycho another glance. I promise, it will leave you… mad.

“We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven’t you?”

-Norman Bates

Cannibal John

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https://thenightmareshopllc.com/blogs/slash-facts/slash-facts-leprechaun2019-03-15T12:00:00-05:002019-03-15T12:00:00-05:00SLASH FACTS- LeprechaunJohn EhrhardMore]]>
It’s the time yet again for pots of gold, magical spells, and Irish folklore at its’s best. Green beer, green popcorn, and left-over green beads from Mardi Gras go hand in hand with St. Patrick’s Day. But let’s not forget about one thing. The Leprechaun will have his way one way or another. So, drink your drink and snack your snack. But don’t be shocked when the Lep attacks!

Leprechaun

Released in US theaters- January 8, 1993

Directed By- Mark Jones

Written By- Mark Jones

Rated- R

Run Time- 1 hour 32 minutes

Kill Count- 4

Killer- The Leprechaun

Number of Sequels- 7

Personal Rating- 8.5/10 Clovers

Deaths

O’Grady/ Pamela Mant- Poor, sweet Mrs. O’Grady. All she wanted was to take care of her manic husband with some nice hot tea. I loved when the Leprechaun walked out of the shadows with the tea tray talking to Dan in her voice. Then makes fun of the fact that she’s laying at the bottom of the basement stairs with a broken neck. Her scream was gold. Wink, wink.

Joe, The Shop Owner/ John Voldstad- In my opinion, the best part of this scene isn’t necessarily the jingle that the Leprechaun sang while pogoing Joe to death. Although that was really funny and part of the Lep’s stitch, I think what really makes the scene is that it’s the first kill since he’s out of the crate, and the first gold coin he found. He finally gets to use a little bit of his powers. Then he talks to Joe like a dog. Bad shop owner. Very sarcastic every time he talks throughout.

Deputy Tripet/ David Permenter- This guy thinks he gave this 600-year-old Leprechaun a run for his money. No way man! From the second Deputy Tripet pulled him over, the good old Irish lad knew what had to be done. It was great to see the story take separate paths for a little bit. The four kids are still trying to figure out how to get out of there while the Leprechaun just wants to have a little fun and break a neck or two. Seems to be a theme. Strong little bastard.

Dan O’Grady/ Shay Duffin- Now, I can only assume Dan died as soon as Tori left that elevator. He looked pretty fucked up and could barely talk. I like to think he was thrown down the elevator shaft. It was a cool way to show that the past still haunts you and had an effect on Mr. O’Grady’s life. He lost everything to this creature who he took gold from a decade before.

Honorable mentions

Jennifer Aniston as Tory Reding

Mark Holton as Ozzie

Ken Olandt as Nathan Murphy

Robert Hy Gorman as Alex

This is definitely more of a fantasy horror flick stitched together with a lot of comedy. But I love it more and more each time I watch it. Part of that is my appreciation for Warwick Davis and his huge contribution to the series. Another part of it is that I watched it no less than 100 times when I was a kid so it will always hold a special part of my love for the genre. Movies like this and other fantasy horror films like Wishmaster allow us to imagine within the film maker’s imagination and escape to worlds we never knew were out there. That’s what I love about Leprechaun. It took me out of my world and into the clover patch. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

“I'll not rest till I have me gold. Curse this well that me soul shall dwell, till I find me magic that breaks me spell.”

-The Leprechaun

Cannibal John

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https://thenightmareshopllc.com/blogs/slash-facts/slash-facts-my-bloody-valentine2019-02-14T07:30:00-06:002019-02-14T07:30:00-06:00SLASH FACTS- My Bloody ValentineJohn EhrhardMore]]>
Well, he we are again. One of the most celebrated and commercialized holidays yet: Valentine’s Day. Now, don’t get me wrong. I have a lot of love in my life that calls for celebration. I just think it’s overrated is all. Luckily, we have early 1980’s slasher flicks like My Bloody Valentine to keep us calm when the florists are out of roses on the morning of February 14th. Into the deepest mines of your heart we go!

My Bloody Valentine

Released in US theaters- February 11, 1981

Directed By- George Mihalka

Written By- Stephen A. Miller & John Beaird

Rated- R

Run Time- 1 hour 30 minutes

Kill Count- 16

Killer- “The Miner” a.k.a. Harry Warden/ Axel Palmer

Number of Sequels- 1 Remake in 2009- My Bloody Valentine 3D

Personal Rating- 7/10 Pickaxes

Deaths

Woman in Mine/ Pat Hemmingway- Early boobs in horror movies are never a bad thing. That is except for when they’re impaled from behind. How tragic.

Four Miners/ Uncredited- All eaten. All digested by Harry Warden. I wonder if he got sick from eating all that raw meat. It could make for a fun spin off. “My Bloody Valentine: The Lost Tapes.”

Two Mining Supervisors/ Jeff Fulton & Fred Waters- Now we only see one of these supervisors pickaxed. But then we see two heart shaped boxes stacked and bleeding on one another filled with two human hearts. Forest Gump’s mom never said anything about life being like a box of hearts.

Mabel/ Patricia Hamilton- This was a dirty trick by the old Hannigar miner. Leaving a gift for a sweet lady only to break her heart in two with his trusty pickaxe. A low-down dirty shame. I wonder how long it took to stuff in the dryer where Chief Newby finds her?

Happy/ Jack Van Evera- Now, Happy kind of deserved it right? I mean just let these kids party! Don’t go around setting up pranks to scare them. Now he has a pickaxe in his throat/ eye. A little bit of Harry Warden karma for you, Happy.

Dave/ Carl Marotte- Not the most important of kills, but a very fun one. That hot dog flavored water, shout out to Limp Bizkit, had to taste awful. His head being boiled was probably worse, but I can’t be sure.

Sylvia/ Helene Udy- Sylvia made a classic mistake. Don’t run off to shag in the mines! And for her troubles, she took a pipe through the back of the head and was hung by it. This scene is very similar to a scene from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. A cool nudge to a fellow slasher.

Mike and Harriet/ Thomas Kovacs and Terry Waterland- This was another off screen kill. We can assume that the massive drill bit they were stuck together with was some sort of mining tool found deep in there. Being that there wasn’t much blood, I wonder The Miner actually drilled it into them or stabbed them. It would’ve been cool to see!

Hollis/ Keith Knight- The Miner followed a very important rule in this kill scene put forth by the film Zombieland. The double tap. Hollis takes two nails to the head at point blank range and still manages to stumble to his friends to warn them about what’s up!

Howard/ Alf Humphreys- This is one of the coolest scenes in this movie to me! Now, we didn’t get to see him captured, but we got to see Howard hung, decapitated, and smack the ground like a bag of mining tools from way up high. Brutal.

Patty/ Cynthia Dale- Cynthia took this pickaxe deep to the stomach from out of nowhere. It’s in there so deep that it takes a couple of tugs to get it out of here. Classic. But a bit of a bummer for the final kill.

Honorable mentions

Neil Affleck as Axel

Lori Hallier as Sarah

Paul Kelman as T.J.

Don Franks as Chief Newby

This film really shows the excitement that comes with lust and tragedy. It gives us, or me at least, a feeling that chasing after your loved one is sweet, kind, and heartfelt. But it can also be the end of the line for some. The things we do for love are sometimes crazy. But if we could pick who we loved, would it be as special? Just ask Harry Warden…

“Every February 14th, Harry comes back to town, his pickaxe stained with blood, waiting in the shadows of the Hanniger Mine, just for someone to kill, should they not heed his warning. IT COULD BE YOU!”

-Happy

Cannibal John

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https://thenightmareshopllc.com/blogs/slash-facts/slash-facts2019-01-08T18:36:00-06:002019-01-08T18:52:54-06:00SLASH FACTS- ScreamJohn EhrhardMore]]>
IT is a new year! Therefore, time for a new celebration. And this year, all year, I, Cannibal John, will be celebrating the SLASHER! It’s the year for recognition. It’s the year of evisceration. In the words of the late, great Wes Craven, “Don’t be stingy with the blood!” This year, bloodshed will be the first, second, and third topic of my new blog, SLASH FACTS! Time to tear you apart.

SCREAM

Released in US theaters- December 20, 1996

Directed By- Wesley Earl Craven

Written By- Kevin Williamson

Rated- R

Run Time- 1 hour 51 minutes

Kill Count- 8

Killer- Ghostface A.K.A. Stu Macher & Billy Loomis

Number of Sequels- 3 + 2 Seasons of a TV Show

Personal Rating- 8/10 Stabs

Deaths

Maureen Prescott/ Lynn McRee- I know she was technically killed before the movie. But Billy and Stu began their year of terror with her. So, Sidney’s mom is totally in there. I’m glad we didn’t see what happened to her.Poor Cotton. Punk ass kids.

Steven Orth/ Kevin Patrick Walls- This dude had no chance from the get go! I like that Casey said things over the phone like, “He’s big and he plays football and he’ll kick the shit out of you!” It made for a much more believable sense of power Ghostface had from the first time we meet him. And a huge sense of helplessness when Steve was bound, gagged, and gutted. Awesome scene.

Casey Becker/ Drew Barrymore- What?! This early in the movie?! Fuck yeah, this early is what I say to that. I love when bigger named stars make cameos this iconic and rememberable. Casey’s death is absolutely the only way this film could’ve started. Sucked me right in and in still scares me.

Arthur Himbry/ Henry Winkler- We got to witness his last happy days as principal of Woodsboro High School. Unfortunately, they were not happy whatsoever. Another cameo made by a very successful actor in Scream. My only problem with this kill is that we ultimately don’t get to see the end result. If you fast forward to the scene when they get the call at Stu’s house party about their principal being hung from the goal post of the football field. I would’ve loved to see that. Drew Barrymore may have stolen his fire on that one.

Tatum Riley/ Rose McGowan- I still don’t understand what the thought process was trying to crawl out of the doggy door. Maybe it’s because I’ve always been a little too wide for smaller doors, I don’t know. But what I like about it is that in this scene, although he did slice Tatum’s arm, you see that Ghostface has more tricks up his sleeve than you think. His blood lust is unquenchable.

Kenny Jones/ W. Earl Brown- Neck slashing is underrated. This was a quick kill. A needed kill to keep driving and pushing this movie forward for what we were about to find out. I liked Kenny. He took a lot of shit from Gale Weathers. What a snob she was. Him flying off of the van was pretty cool though. That’s what Gale gets.

Stu Macher/ Matthew Lillard- Stu’s death was crazy as hell. Prior to having a TV pushed on top of his fucking face, he got stabbed at least 4 times by Billy! I’m pretty sure he was going to die anyways, but Sidney was quick to bite his hand, smash a vase over his head, and send him packing. That peer pressure can be a son of a bitch.

Billy Loomis/ Skeet Ulrich- The final kill. But not the final scare. Let’s not forget about Mr. Neil Prescott in the coat closet. I think in the end though that Billy was much like the rabbit in the rabbit in the hare. He got too excited too quick and ended up losing the race. Although, in Billy’s case, he took an umbrella to the chest and got shot in the head by one of my favorite final girls of all time, Sidney Prescott.

Honorable mentions

Roger Jackson as “The Voice”

Neve Campbell Sidney Prescott

Jamie Kennedy as Randy

David Arquette as Deputy Dewey Riley

Courtney Cox as Gale Weathers

Wes Craven as Fred the Janitor

Scream, to me, will always remain close to my horrified heart. It was one of my first loves and has given so much back to horror movie after movie, rule after rule. It will always be one of my favorite movies with one of my favorite surprise endings. It truly is a scream.

“Careful. This is the moment when the supposedly dead killer comes back to life, for one last scare.”